Youth Awareness — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:02:07 +0000

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Urdu: متحدہ قومی موومنٹ generally known as MQM or Mutehedda), is a political party in Pakistan founded and currently led by Altaf Hussain. It originated as an ethnic student organization in 1978 from University of Karachi. The students movement later turned into an influential political party of Sindh. Later on July 26, 1997, MQM officially changed its name from Muhajir Qaumi Movement to Muttahida Quami Movement.

Political history – Synopsis

Since Partition the movement has traditionally campaigned for an Islamic republic while representing Muhajirs and other Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent such as Punjabis, Pakhtuns who have allegedly faced open discrimination in public and government services from Punjabis and Sindhis since migration to Pakistan. Under Altaf Hussain the issue of Muhajir discrimination became a major political issue. Mr. Altaf Hussain raise voice against voice against ethinic discrimination during his university studies which leads to formation of All Pakistan Mutehedda Students Organisation (A.P.M.S.O)

The open discrimination against Muhajirs was considerably reduced as current Millitary Ruler of Pakistan and de facto ruler, General (R) Pervez Musharraf, and the Governor of Sindh are both Muhajirs. But After elections 2008, Pakistan’s leading Political Party, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPPP) won and came into power, which creates anarchy amongs urdu speaking community specially in Karachi.

Muhajir are ethnic Urdu speaking Muslim linguistic group that migrated to Pakistan after independence in 1947. Muhajirs were partly welcomed in Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan (first Prime Minister of Pakistan) himself a Muhajir is said to have fast-tracked Muhajirs in civil service, later assassinated. Before 1947, most of businesses were owned by Hindus, their departure to India was followed by allotments of businesses to selected group of Muhajirs (Urdu Speaking) as compensation to their businesses in India. After the death of Liaquat Ali Khan, the rise of military intervention in governmental affairs annulled many of the changes made.

Changing name

After 1996, surviving tough years of military operation, allegations of terrorism, facism and street crimes were proved wrong and at the same time emerged as a party representing poor Urdu speaking people of Karachi and Hyderabad. On July 26, 1997, MQM leadership in a hope to enlarge its base, and also to differentiate themselves from the other faction of MQM, changed the party name to Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Later in the next national elections in 2002, MQM emerged as the single most popular representation of Urdu Speaking community, demonstrating total rejection of the breakaway faction of MQM by the masses.

Recent Trend

MQM initially targeted just the Urdu speaking people, who migrated to Pakistan after the independence in 1947. Since 1997, it has started to aim downtrodden masses at the national level, with a manefesto to improve low social and economic status of the Sindh. Although it has turned into a national political party, working in all major cities of Pakistan, its representation in non-Urdu speaking areas remains negligible.

MQM boycotted 2001 municipal elections but participated in 2002 national election and secured most of the urban areas seats in Sindh province. Altaf Hussain supported, General Pervez Musharraf’s U-turn on Afghan-policy after 9-11 attacks.

In August 2005, Haq Parast candidates, supported by MQM, won the municipal elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas and many other cities of Sindh.

MQM tries to be an ally of ruling parties to benefit more to their dominating cities / areas, currently they have good relations with ruling party i.e Pakistan Peoples Party (PPPP) in federal government as well as Sindh but still has its own viewpoint on various issues including LFO, Kalabagh Dam and NFC Award. Despite of gesture showed by MQM on many occasions, PPPP and it’s leadership is not serious in national reconcilliation process, and they continuosly repeating the acts which may hurt the feelings of martyreds of MQM, i.e postings of so many senior officials in Sindh Office, bringing back all the police officers who were involved in extra-judicial killings of MQM ‘s activists in 90s operation including Shoaib Suddle, that’s the reason why all the meetings including visit of PPPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari, were failed and Mutehedda Qaumi Movement’s Rabta Committee decided after mutual understanding that they’ll sit in opposition and will play a role of positive opposition unlike past oppositions.

PPPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Altaf Hussain, after mutual understanding agreed on power sharing formula and become ally in Sindh Government. shares 13 ministries and 2 advisors. It was mutually decided that we will work for the betterment of Pakistan and sindh, and will defeat all the conspiracies to break this united government in the national interest.

MQM changed it’s policy which restrained it to Urdu speaking people recently, opening offices in other provinces including Punjab. MQM was successful in winning two seats in Azad Kashmir national assembly, which is the result of efforts made by Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, a charitible organisation operated by MQM officials all over Pakistan.

Political Ideology

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) believes in Realism and Practicalism. Acceptance of reality with an open heart is Realism, a concept based upon the philosophy of its Founder and Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain. Based on Realism positive achievement made through ideologically supported pragmatic programs is called Practicalism.

Politics for Services

Nation’s solidarity, integrity and security; progress and prosperity; improvement in common man’s quality of life; stability of democratic institutions; and the substantial reforms in the field of agriculture, trade and industry, education and health, finance and overall economy and judiciary are the cherished goals of Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Key Leaders

* Azeem Ahmed Tariq – (Late) Co-Chairman

* Dr. Farooq Sattar – Deputy Convenor & MQM’s Parliamentary Leader

* Dr. Imran Farooq – Convenor of MQM’s Coordination Committee

* Ishrat ul Ibad Khan – Governor of the Sindh province

* Saleem Shahzad – MQM’s Deputy Convenor

* Syed Mustafa Kamal – City Nazim (Mayor) of Karachi

* Waseem Akhtar – Central leader of MQM

* Haider Abbas Rizvi – Deputy parliamentary leader in National Assembly

* Babar Ghauri – Senator and former Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping

Referrences

^ MQM’s Journey From Muhajir to Muttahida